Pop stardom beckons for a rising British R&B singer-songwriter talent from Leicestershire after she bagged a major YouTube honour.

Mahalia, who hails from Syston, started writing songs on the guitar at the age of 11, and has been performing at venues across the UK and Europe ever since playing her first open mic night in Leicester in 2012.

Now 20, she has a major label record deal with Atlantic Records and has a string of hit singles behind her.

Gaining more than 8 million views on YouTube, as she has done with her single ‘Surprise Me’ would suggest Mahalia has already made it, winning an army of fans with her sultry vocals and catchy laid back soul.

But her music career could now go stratospheric after the video-sharing website chose her as its top artist in a new Ones to Watch spotlight for 2019.

A YouTube spokesman said: “Mahalia follows in the footsteps of Ed Sheeran and Dua Lipa, who also found fame on the world’s biggest music platform.

“She is an R&B singer-songwriter who was signed aged 13, and her colourful video for ‘Surprise Me’ has hit over 8.5 million views on YouTube.

“She’s toured the UK three times, hitting intimate venues and festivals and joining the likes of Ed Sheeran and Emeli Sandé.”

Mahalia - Leicester's YouTube pop sensation (Image: Supplied)

The firm selected 10 artists which it is tipping for the top in the coming year, but reserved top spot for our Mahalia.

Other UK music acts who made the prestigious top 10 list, which was chosen by a panel of YouTube and music industry aficionados, include Kojey Radical; Grace Carter; Sam Fender, and Jade Bird.

The YouTube spokesman said: “This inspiring new list of talent has been compiled by YouTube Music based on a variety of factors – including YouTube views, engagement from global music fans and YouTube Music analytics.

“Top of the list is R&B songstress Mahalia, who has already racked up over 100,000 subscribers to her YouTube channel and just yesterday launched her incredible new track, ‘One Night Only’, featuring another one of YouTube Music’s picks, Kojey Radical.”

Mahalia - Leicester's YouTube pop sensation (Image: Supplied)

It means she can expect the full backing and promotional support of YouTube in time for the anticipated release of her debut album next year.

Commenting on receiving the life-changing accolade said: “What an honour! To be at the top of YouTube Music’s One to Watch list for 2019 is such a special moment for me.

“There are so many wonderful, talented artists on this list – many who I keep super close to my heart.”

Mahalia said that it was following her favourite pop stars and musicians on YouTube as child of the social media age was what inspired her to become a singer-songwriter too.

She said: “As a late 90s baby, I grew up watching YouTube - constantly finding videos of artists who inspired me.

“I basically learnt how to play so much of what I know on the guitar from watching people on YouTube.”

Mahalia added: “The platform has helped me grow and build a real, personal fan base in the UK and around the world while never compromising my creativity.

“This recognition means so much to me, my close ones and my team. I can’t wait to share my debut album in 2019."

The full UK 'Ones to Watch' 2019 list from YouTube Music (Mahalia comes in at #1 with the rest in no particular order):

#1 Mahalia

Octavian

Grace Carter

Kojey Radical

Sam Fender

Slowthai

L Devine

Dermott Kennedy

Samm Henshaw

Jade Bird

Azi Eftekhari, Head of Music Partnerships at YouTube, UK commented: “This is a year of UK artists doing their own thing.

“With the freedom musicians now have to express themselves not just sonically, but visually, it’s perhaps unsurprising that this list only features solo artists, many of whom are genuinely pushing artistic and visual boundaries.

"For example, Kojey, Octavian and Slowthai are arguably redefining UK rap as a genre, and acts like Mahalia, L Devine and Grace Carter - while they undeniably have huge commercial appeal - don’t conform to the conventional expectations of a pop act.

“One thing is certain - YouTube continues to be an unmatched launch pad for emerging artists, and 2019 is set to be a huge year for homegrown UK talent.”

YouTube Music has prepared a Ones To Watch YouTube Music playlist featuring Mahalia and the rest of the Top 10 artists, as well as a longlist of up and coming British musical talent.